Pactera

Acting through a fund it manages on behalf of its private equity investors, Blackstone is expanding its presence in the technology sector with the purchase of a majority stake in Accuvant, a top information security solutions and services provider.

Population gains and steady rent growth are luring multifamily investors and developers to the Research Triangle. Demand is outstripping supply, but with more than 5,000 units scheduled for completion by year-end, that trend is likely to moderate.

Sperling's BestPlaces collected 18 lists and ranking of potential locations, determining that Atlanta's ability to absorb an expected 50,000 workers and other factors make it the No.1 contender for the new Amazon headquarters.